ZIP Code · AL

ZIP 35208

Part of Birmingham, AL

Pop. 13,412·Jefferson County·96th most expensive ZIP in Alabama

Median rent (all units)

$1,128/mo

Year-over-Year

+6.8%

Month-over-Month

+2.1%

vs US Median

-$804

Reported rents

Rising (Monthly)

Be the first to discuss 35208 rents ↓

Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 35208 · $1,128

More affordable than 94% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$870

1 BR

$980

2 BR

$1,070

3 BR

$1,340

4 BR+

$1,520

Research median

$1,070/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: October 17, 2026

From the history

What the numbers show

Compared with the peak

Rent in ZIP 35208 is at its highest level since Zillow's records here began in February 2023.

Past year vs. the rest of Alabama

Rent in ZIP 35208 changed +6.8% over the year to September 2026. Across the 84 Alabama ZIP codes Zillow tracks, the typical change was +3.1%.

Recent direction

Rent has risen 3 months in a row, and rose in 7 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($38,561) is $964 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a studio ($870); a 1-bedroom is $980.

Rank in Birmingham

4th cheapest of 11 ZIP codes in Birmingham.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 35208. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$13,536/yr

At $1,128/mo median

Location

CityBirmingham

StateAL

CountyJefferson County

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 6.8% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+6.8% YoY, +2.1% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 35208 (Birmingham, AL) is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income below the national average, 20.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

13,412

Median income

$38,561

Median age

43.4

Renters

35.8%

Age distribution

19%

21.9%

22.2%

13.7%

23.2%

Under 1819%

18–3421.9%

35–5422.2%

55–6413.7%

65+23.2%

Gender

46.2%

53.8%

Male46.2%

Female53.8%

Race & ethnicity

92.8%

White4.5%

Black92.8%

Hispanic1.9%

Education (25+)

13.4%

33.4%

33.1%

20.1%

No HS diploma13.4%

HS diploma33.4%

Some college33.1%

Bachelor's+20.1%

Housing tenure

64.2%

35.8%

Owner64.2%

Renter35.8%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 35208 in Birmingham, AL has changed in 5 years

Income

$32,277 → $38,561

up 19.5%

Population

14,112 → 13,412

down 5.0%

Renter share

40.2% → 35.8%

-4.4 pts

Bachelor's+

14.4% → 20.1%

+5.7 pts

Median age

40.7 → 43.4

+2.7 yrs

Median household income grew from $32,277 to $38,561 between 2021 and 2024, a 19.5% shift. Headcount in the area went from 14,112 to 13,412 between 2021 and 2024, a 5.0% change. About 35.8% of households rent today, against 40.2% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 14.4% to 20.1%.

Community

Discussions about ZIP 35208

No discussions yet. Start the conversation.

Local insights

Tips for renters in ZIP 35208

About renting in ZIP 35208

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 35208 covers Birmingham, AL. The median rent here is $1,128/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $980/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $1,070/mo.

At 35% of local median household income ($38,561/yr), ZIP 35208 ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 6.8% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 35208?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $45,000/year (about $22/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,128/mo in ZIP 35208. The local median household income is $38,561/yr, so the typical household falls short of that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 35208?

Rent in ZIP 35208 has risen 6.8% over the past year as of September 2026. That is the highest level since Zillow's records here began in February 2023.

How does ZIP 35208 compare to other ZIPs in Alabama?

ZIP 35208 is one of the more affordable among Alabama ZIP codes for rent, ranking #96 of 116 at $1,128/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 35208 changed +6.8%, against a typical +3.1% across the 84 Alabama ZIP codes Zillow tracks.